I just had mine done in Chiang Mai. I am on retirement extensions using the 65k income method. I just took passport to agent and as I bank with Bangkok Bank they can get the necessary letters. Met them at immigration on the day and I was there less than 10 minutes. Done another year. I do my own 90 days reports online when I can. Cost 8000. 

 

Yes I could do myself but in my older age I have become less patient and tolerant so well worth not dealing with bank and immigration officers.

1 hour ago, Taxi said:

Where I go there is a visa shop right outside the immigration office. I asked this year via email how much (just to avoid covid crowds) I have the 800K and all the legit documents.

 

8,000 baht all up.  I decided just to do it myself as usual, the process is quick and efficient, especially with the reduced numbers in town.  

Jomtien?

 

5 hours ago, Sheryl said:

If you have your own 800K there is little to no reason to use an agent.

I know a guy who paid one just to fill out his 90 report form!

57 minutes ago, petertucker48 said:

Just what I'm thinking all that is needed is ฿1900 Annually.

Where does the "Agent requirement" come into this discussion,

I think by investing the 800k you could more than cover the costs of an agent and still have access to your funds. 
13/14000 for Extension in Pattaya at ‘reputable’ agents who have good connections with a bank and immigration. 

4 hours ago, Live Long and Prosper said:

about 2,000 if you do it yourself and learn the laws and processes of the country you wish to stay in, all the way up to being deported because you used a bent agent and fuelled the corruption that already exists. My passport, my name, I want to know.

 

Deported ? any examples of said deportations

If you are going to Bangkok immigration yourself, appointments available online. You will be sent to  special counter and seen right away. 

4 hours ago, Live Long and Prosper said:

about 2,000 if you do it yourself and learn the laws and processes of the country you wish to stay in, all the way up to being deported because you used a bent agent and fuelled the corruption that already exists. My passport, my name, I want to know.

 

My agent is isn’t bent she is a lawyer and I meet all the legal requirements.

I pay for the convenience, the same way as I use a taxi instead of a bus, use a private hospital instead of a government hospital and fly business class instead of economy.

Its my money to spend as I choose.

49 minutes ago, LoeiI said:

Deported ? any examples of said deportations

Past performance does not guarantee future results! A related practise years ago did, in fact, result in deportations. At one time, when people used border runs to extend their stay in Thailand (but were too lazy to travel to the border themselves) there were agents who would take your passports to the border to get the requisite stamps for you. There was a major crackdown on this practise, and many with those agent acquired stamps found themselves in hot water.

 

The risks involved in using agents who can circumvent the usual requirements for a visa or extension are very low. But, let's be realistic. The risks are not zero. Under certain circumstances, disaster could strike those relying on well connected agents and officials who for some reason end up under attack by those above them.

5 minutes ago, BritTim said:

Past performance does not guarantee future results! A related practise years ago did, in fact, result in deportations. At one time, when people used border runs to extend their stay in Thailand (but were too lazy to travel to the border themselves) there were agents who would take your passports to the border to get the requisite stamps for you. There was a major crackdown on this practise, and many with those agent acquired stamps found themselves in hot water.

 

The risks involved in using agents who can circumvent the usual requirements for a visa or extension are very low. But, let's be realistic. The risks are not zero. Under certain circumstances, disaster could strike those relying on well connected agents and officials who for some reason end up under attack by those above them.

Those above is where most of the kanga ends up!! 

1 hour ago, clivebaxter said:

I know a guy who paid one just to fill out his 90 report form!

I have many friends like this. You can even hire a scooter taxi guy to do it.

Is it also true that if you leave thailand on re-entry permit with retirement visa and re- enter then get another 12 month extention of stay , all just before the original 12 month extention expiry, you would get 27 months in total from the original 3 mth visa ? Could that be repeated again on same original visa ?

5 minutes ago, BritTim said:

Past performance does not guarantee future results! A related practise years ago did, in fact, result in deportations. At one time, when people used border runs to extend their stay in Thailand (but were too lazy to travel to the border themselves) there were agents who would take your passports to the border to get the requisite stamps for you. There was a major crackdown on this practise, and many with those agent acquired stamps found themselves in hot water.

 

The risks involved in using agents who can circumvent the usual requirements for a visa or extension are very low. But, let's be realistic. The risks are not zero. Under certain circumstances, disaster could strike those relying on well connected agents and officials who for some reason end up under attack by those above them.

Agreed nothing is risk free though very low, I have spoken to many Thais and expats about this and other related issues and have been basically advised to stop looking at what we (Westerners) might see as corruption or rouge practices with westerners eyes, this is Thailand not the west and that it is what it is, and the fact that the money always travels upwards so the lower level officials are unlikely to come under attack by their superiors right up to the top (Armfuls of watches drug convictions etc.) 

1 minute ago, WhiteBuffaloATM said:

Is it also true that if you leave thailand on re-entry permit with retirement visa and re- enter then get another 12 month extention of stay , all just before the original 12 month extention expiry, you would get 27 months in total from the original 3 mth visa ? Could that be repeated again on same original visa ?

 Only OA for the first year.

senior IOs can legally & officially grant visas and extentions anyway they want. no Immi. rules that can’t be waived.

5 minutes ago, WhiteBuffaloATM said:

Is it also true that if you leave thailand on re-entry permit with retirement visa and re- enter then get another 12 month extention of stay , all just before the original 12 month extention expiry, you would get 27 months in total from the original 3 mth visa ? Could that be repeated again on same original visa ?

No and No.

A re-entry permit only keeps the remainder of the permit to stay it is issued for valid when you enter the country and it expires on the last day of that permit to stay.

 

 

WOW - I pay 6000 THB for NON O based on marriage.

And they do all 90 day reports

Just now, WhiteBuffaloATM said:

senior IOs can legally & officially grant visas and extentions anyway they want. no Immi. rules that can’t be waived.

That is not correct. Only certain officers are allowed to waive certain requirements.

This is what the immigration order 327/2557 for extensions of stay states.

 

"5. In the case where an alien applicant does not meet the full qualifications stipulated by the criteria herein or in other cases not specified in this Order but a competent officer equivalent to or higher than inspector is of the opinion that the alien has legitimate reason for staying in the Kingdom of Thailand, the application shall be forwarded to the Commander of the Royal Thai Police or an authorized competent officer for further consideration of the alien's application."

 

 

ubonjoe: that regulation effectively circles back to my post.

In Pattaya you can get it for 21,000 baht (non imm O 3 months + 12 month extension)

 

Subsequent extensions 12,500 baht

 

If you have the 800k 9,000 baht

 

Many agents charge more for nothing

 

re-entry permits are extra, same price everywhere

 

10 k to 15 k

7 hours ago, Sheryl said:

If you have your own 800K there is little to no reason to use an agent.

Not quite true if it hasn't been seasoned properly

18 minutes ago, WhiteBuffaloATM said:

ubonjoe: that regulation effectively circles back to my post.

Not really since the final approval would not be done by a officer at a local immigration office.

1 hour ago, seedy said:

WOW - I pay 6000 THB for NON O based on marriage.

And they do all 90 day reports

You are being ripped off.

59 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Not quite true if it hasn't been seasoned properly

Then you do not qualify

If you have your own 800K there is little to no reason to use an agent.

“Not quite true if it hasn't been seasoned properly”

or if you can use the monthly 65k method, otherwise……

 

Other Reasons for Agent Use:

No Dead 800k Capital 

Rejection of Dead Capital & Immi BS in Principle

Guaranteed Result

No Time Spent at Banks & Immi.

No Immi. Humiliation / Changes

No Personal Reporting

 

 

 

3 minutes ago, WhiteBuffaloATM said:

 

If you have your own 800K there is little to no reason to use an agent.

“Not quite true if it hasn't been seasoned properly”

or if you can use the monthly 65k method, otherwise……

 

Other Reasons for Agent Use:

No Dead 800k Capital 

Rejection of Dead Capital & Immi BS in Principle

Guaranteed Result

No Time Spent at Banks & Immi.

No Immi. Humiliation / Changes

No Personal Reporting

 

 

 

No loss of one hour of your time once a year.

Money well spent. ????

9 hours ago, JustAnotherFarang said:

I also used this company for retirement visa but my costs where 19,000 baht and next years renewal is meant to be 14,000 baht

I did similar but only cost 12,000 with next yrs 9,000.   But you know Thailand, it's who you know not what you know.  

All phenomenons on this forum ????

1 hour ago, scubascuba3 said:

In Pattaya you can get it for 21,000 baht (non imm O 3 months + 12 month extension)

 

Subsequent extensions 12,500 baht

 

If you have the 800k 9,000 baht

 

Many agents charge more for nothing

 

re-entry permits are extra, same price everywhere

 

I was quoted 26,000 in Patts from a long time agent to go from Visa exempt to Non O - 15 mos worth. I have a Bangkok Bank account.

Lowest Reliable Agent Cost I found in Phuket was 30k. No Financials. Agent Senior IO. All Extn Reporting Included. Phuket Stamp (not the usual Chonburi). Dont ask detail !